Level 1 establishes the philosophical, astronomical, and interpretive foundations of classical Vedic astrology (Jyotiṣa). It comprises twenty foundational modules — the first of a four-level curriculum — covering the Vedic worldview, chart casting, the Grahas, Rāśis, Nakṣatras, Bhāvas, significators, and the first tools of judgment and timing. The curriculum follows the classical tradition, whose principal reference is the Bṛhat Parāśara Horā Śāstra, and is paired with a parallel practice track supporting the student’s own development.
Curriculum
- 20 Sections
- 85 Lessons
- 10 Weeks
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- Module 1: Sṛṣṭi Kāraṇa & Brahma Vidyā — Vedic ConceptsOverview — This opening module grounds the student in the philosophical worldview from which Jyotiṣa arises, treating cosmos, time, and soul as an integrated whole. Jyotiṣa sits among the six Vedāṅgas as the "eye of the Veda," framed by creation (sṛṣṭi), cause (kāraṇa), and knowledge of the absolute (Brahma Vidyā). Objectives — Place Jyotiṣa among the Vedāṅgas; define sṛṣṭi, kāraṇa, Brahma Vidyā and the macrocosm–microcosm relationship; describe the Vedic model of creation; and understand studying Jyotiṣa within a spiritual and ethical framework.5
- 1.1What the Vedas are; the four Vedas and the six Vedāṅgas
- 1.2Jyotiṣa as a Vedāṅga; the meaning of “the eye of the Veda”
- 1.3Sṛṣṭi kāraṇa: the Vedic account of creation and first causes
- 1.4Brahma Vidyā and the aim of self-knowledge underlying the tradition
- 1.5Macrocosm and microcosm: why a chart can mirror a life
- Module 2: Gaṇita — Foundations of Astronomical CalculationGaṇita is the astronomical spine of the course. You learn to cast a chart by hand and by software, to tell the sidereal (Nirayaṇa) zodiac from the tropical (Sāyana) and apply the ayanāṁśa correction, to find the Lagna, to compare the equal-house and Śrīpati bhāva systems, to read the three chart formats, and to make a first Vimśottarī daśā calculation.6
- 2.1The celestial sphere, ecliptic, and the sidereal vs. tropical distinction
- 2.2Ayanāṁśa: definition, the main schools (Lahiri / Citrapakṣa), and conversion practice
- 2.3Casting the Lagna and placing the Grahas
- 2.4House-division systems: equal (rāśi) houses vs. Śrīpati bhāvas
- 2.5The three chart formats and how to translate between them
- 2.6First Daśā calculation: locating the Janma Nakṣatra and the Vimśottarī sequence
- Module 3: Graha — The PlanetsThis module introduces the nine Grahas as the primary agents of a chart: their names and Sanskrit terms, essential nature (benefic/malefic), significations, classifications, the lunar nodes Rāhu and Ketu, and the conditions of retrogression and combustion. By the end you can identify each Graha, state its nature and significations, and describe how these conditions modify it.6
- 3.1The nine Grahas: names, terminology, and quick recognition
- 3.2Natural benefics and malefics; the logic behind the classification
- 3.3Significations of the Sun through Saturn
- 3.4Rāhu and Ketu: the nodes and their distinctive role
- 3.5Physical attributes: colours, relative sizes, speeds, characteristics
- 3.6Introductory conditions: retrogression and combustion
- Module 4: Rāśi — The SignsThe twelve Rāśis are the stage on which the Grahas act. You learn each sign's name, element and nature, its significations and ruling planet, and the dignity scheme — exaltation, debilitation, mūlatrikoṇa and own sign — together with the classical sign classification.5
- Module 5: Nakṣatra — The Lunar MansionsThe Nakṣatras divide the zodiac into 27 (or 28) lunar mansions — the oldest layer of Vedic astronomy. You learn their names, spans and sequence, begin to grasp each one's nature and significations, and learn to locate the Janma (birth) Nakṣatra from the Moon.4
- Module 6 — Bhāva — The HousesThe twelve Bhāvas map the areas of life — body, wealth, family, home, children and so on. You learn to name the houses and their significations, to count houses correctly from any reference point, and the logic and classifications of the house scheme.4
- Module 7 — Bhāva Assessment — Judging the HousesThis is the first step from significations to judgment. You focus on the rising sign (Udaya Lagna) and the Ascendant lord (Lagneśa) — the single most important planet — and on how house lordships begin to shape results.4
- Module 8 — Kāraka — SignificatorsA kāraka is a "significator" — a planet that stands for a matter. You learn the concept and two systems: the fixed natural significators (Naisargika Kāraka) and the house significators (Bhāvakāraka), and how to cross-check a house against its kāraka.4
- Module 9 — Viśeṣa Lagna — Special Ascendants (I)Beyond the rising Ascendant, the tradition reads a chart from several reference points. You learn the Lagna, the Paka Lagna (sign of the Lagna lord), and the Candra and Sūrya Lagnas — reading as if the Moon or Sun were the Ascendant.4
- Module 10 — Varga — Divisional Charts (Introduction)Divisional charts (Vargas) subdivide each sign to reveal finer detail about specific areas of life. This introduction defines what a varga is, how the divisional scheme works, and the Varga Devatās (deities of the divisions), and shows where divisional analysis fits overall.4
- Module 11 — Yoga — Planetary Combinations: Nābhasa YogasA yoga is a defined combination of planets or placements that produces a result. The Nābhasa yogas are based on the geometric pattern the planets form across the chart, making them an ideal entry point through pattern recognition.4
- Module 12 — Bala — Planetary Strength (Introduction)Bala means "strength" — a planet's ability to deliver its results, measured in several distinct ways. This introduction defines bala, surveys the main types, and distinguishes strength from dignity.4
- Module 13 — Avasthā — Planetary States (Introduction)Avasthās are the "states" a planet is in, which colour how it delivers results. You learn the concept and, at introductory level, the Bālādi (infancy-to-old-age) and Jāgradi (awake/dreaming/sleeping) states, and how to use them to nuance a reading.4
- Module 14 — Āyur — Longevity FundamentalsĀyur (longevity) is one of the most serious subjects in Jyotiṣa. At Level 1 the treatment is foundational and diagnostic: the mārakas, the role of the 6th and 8th lords, and the mapping of planets, signs and houses onto the parts of the body.4
- Module 15 — Daśā — Planetary Periods: VimśottarīDaśās are the timing systems that show when the chart's promise unfolds. You get an overview of the daśā families and then focus on Vimśottarī: computing it from the birth Nakṣatra and identifying the running mahādaśā and antardaśā4
- Module 16 — Gocara — Transits: Janma Rāśi GocaraGocara studies the moving planets against the natal chart. The classical starting point is Janma Rāśi Gocara — reading transits from the natal Moon sign — the backbone of day-to-day prediction.3
- Module 17 — Praśna — Horary Astrology (Foundations)Praśna answers a specific question by casting a chart for the moment it is asked. This foundation defines praśna, teaches when and how the chart is drawn, and — crucially — how to confirm a chart is fit for judgment.4
- Module 18 — Aṣṭakavarga — IntroductionAṣṭakavarga is a points-based system that quantifies the benefic support each sign and house receives, adding a numerical layer to judgment. This introduction covers what it is, the intuition behind the bindus (points), and where it fits.3
- Module 19 — Special Topics — Philosophy of the Paramparā & Guru MantraJyotiṣa is transmitted through a paramparā — an unbroken teacher-to-student lineage. This module introduces the philosophy and etiquette of that lineage, the guru–student relationship, and the Guru Mantra that traditionally opens study, framing Jyotiṣa as a spiritual discipline with responsibilities.4
- Module 20 — Spiritual Practices of Jyotiṣa — Level 1Running parallel to the technical track, this module introduces the foundational practices that support the student's own development: japa and the use of a mālā, foundational prāṇāyāma and āsana, dhāraṇā (concentration), and the Pañca Devatā scheme, closing with the first level of mantra practice.5
Instructor
